Welcome

Welcome to the Roger Williams Park Zoo's Nature Swap located within the Hasbro's "Our Big Backyard" exhibit! To participate in Nature Swap, bring in natural "found" items to collect points for swapping with items in our collection. You can trade things commonly found in nature like shells, rocks, acorns, leaves, or pine cones.

When you bring in an item, you will be awarded points for:

Type of item.

What you know about your item.

Your description of the experience you had when you found the item.

The presentation of the item.

Swappers, ages 3 and up, can register for an account and start trading right away! Children under the age of 14 must have parents permission to register.

Operating Hours

Summer Hours-

Open Wednesday-Sunday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.

(Closed Monday and Tuesday).

Have questions? Visit our Rules or FAQ pages in the tab above!

News

September Nature Swap Quest

09/11/2019

September Nature Swap Quest: Providence Birding Adventure!

Saturday, September 21, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Join Rhode Island Audubon’s Lisa Maloney...

August Quest - Become a Pollinator Protector!

08/02/2019

Happy August Nature Swappers!

With the end of summer nearing, the rain and sun have produced some amazing flowers and plants here in Our Big Backyard and pollinators are everywhere in sight...

July Quest Nature Swap Points Opportunity

07/25/2019

Hello Nature Swappers!

As we grow and improve our nature swap program, we are trying to learn more about how the nature swap experience works for families and guests, both adult and child...

June Quest: What Can You Do With A Rock?

06/23/2019

Rocks are everywhere! They make up our earth's crust and they support the grass we walk on. It is hard to go anywhere rural or urban, and not see rocks in some form. For this month's quest...

May Quest

04/23/2019

BONUS APRIL AND MAY QUEST:

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, a wildlife rehabilitation nonprofit in Western North Carolina, recycles old mascara wands to help remove fly eggs and larva from the...

April Quest - Celebrating Earth Week

04/08/2019

Happy Spring Nature Swappers!

For our April Quest, we’re celebrating Earth Week! One of our favorite things about spring here in Our Big Backyard is spending time outside in parks and...

March Quest - Signs of Spring

03/14/2019

Hello Nature Swappers!

It's hard to believe, but the first official day of spring is next Wednesday, March 20th. As the seasons change yet again, the natural world shifts and awakens in...

February Quest - Parker Woodland

01/15/2019

RI Audubon George B. Parker Woodland.
1670 Maple Valley Rd, Coventry

Take February Vacation Week to explore RI...

January Quest - First Day Hike

12/18/2018

Hello Nature Swappers!

This holiday season, remember to take care of yourself and your family by heading outside for a hike or even just a walk around the block, stargazing, talking with...

December Quest - Feeder Watch - QUEST EXTENDED TO APRIL

11/28/2018

This quest will continue through April. We are now a registered FeederWatch site. Please visit us here in Our Big Backyard and connect with a staff member to learn how...